For centuries, the systems of communications throughout the world have been
swiftly evolving.
In the 1400s, the printing press created the ability for mass publication
and circulation of literature, opening the door for the Christian gospel to
reach around the world through books, tracts and the Bible itself. During
the late 1800s, the telegraph and telephone were invented, further spreading
the opportunities for Christian evangelism. In the mid 20th century, radio
and television further advanced that possibility. Now, in the 21st century,
we can literally reach millions live through streaming video. For the
Christian evangelist, there is a truly awesome marriage of religion and
technology.
Bishop E. Bernard Jordan, Founder and Chief Prelate of Zoe Ministries, is a
paradigm of this shift from the pew to cyberspace. From the simple input of
information into a database, to carrying religion into all of the world
through technological advances such as live streaming, Bishop Jordan has
moved his ministry from drawing hundreds of people to the pews of the local
church, to drawing millions of people to witness and experience his
prophetic ministry through the wonder of computer technology.
His parishioners now have access to the prophetic ministry 24 hours a day,
seven days a week, whether through teachings and messages concerning God,
spirituality and prophecy, or through the ability to purchase books,
teachings and music. According to the Bishop, "Because of the blessing
that computer and internet technology represents, my parishioners are now
only a 'click' away from God; they are only a 'click' away from the
prophetic word." His outreach is truly interactive via special Faith Chat
sessions during live services on Sundays, Tuesday evenings, and Thursday
evenings.
Whether it is Jane Danielsen of Denmark, who views the live streaming
telecasts weekly, Lillian Holmgaard of Denmark, who gathers people together
in her community around the computer to view the live telecasts; Carl Ameho
from South Korea who views the telecast several times throughout his day to
experience the power of prophecy or Frans Zegers of the Netherlands who
faithfully views the Power of Prophecy telecast, Bishop Jordan's
parishioners are in the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, Africa
and throughout the world.
There is a growing need for leaders in the Church to expand their ministry
and to reach larger groups of people all around the world. The world is
waiting eagerly to hear the spiritual truths that have been burning in the
hearts and minds of many pastors, preachers, evangelists and prophets.
People are in need of an answer, yet the fact is many do not want to
physically go to church. Yet these people are hungry for the word of God.
Therefore, spiritual leaders of all faiths must now open their minds to the
use of the Internet, live streaming and other advanced forms of technology
to get their message to the world.
If Jesus, Buddha or Mohammed were to bring their message in this day, they
would use the most advanced means of technology available to communicate
their message to as many people as they could reach.
There is a growing concern in urban America about the accessibility of this
powerful and relatively inexpensive technology. Only 25% of
African-Americans appear to be functional in the information age. This
alarming figure can be attributed mainly to the fact that there are more
black males in prison than in college. Many are blue collar workers, whose
jobs limit their access in the arena of technology. Perhaps religion could
possibly bring more exposure to the importance of computers and advanced
technology to a community that has been frozen out of the information age.
If they know that their favorite preacher is available on the Internet via
live streaming, and they have the ability to interact with him/her from the
comfort of their home, what a milestone that could be! With the ability to
download sermon messages at no charge, make online donations, and personally
interact with the preacher by way of the Internet.
In the last five years, Zoe Ministries has lost 80 percent of its local
congregation (pew members), but has doubled its revenue through the faithful
partners worldwide who access the ministry through the most powerful means
of technology available, the Internet. Religion and technology must make
sense. Both areas must merge if we are going to reach the world with the
gospel. To those who espouse this philosophy, the 21st century will become
an age where technology is integrated into religion by allowing people to
have their religious experience by way of the Internet. A "soul" used to be
defined as the person we could see, but now we are discovering that a "soul"
is the person whom we cannot see.
